121]

Similarly, Sir D. Ibbetson states that the Maheshri Banias claim
Rajput origin and still have subdivisions bearing Rajput names. [122]
Elliot also says that almost all the mercantile tribes of Hindustan
are of Rajput descent. [123]

It would appear, then, that the Banias are an offshoot from the
Rajputs, who took to commerce and learnt to read and write for
the purpose of keeping accounts. The Charans or bards are another
literate caste derived from the Rajputs, and it may be noticed that
both the Banias and Charans or Bhats have hitherto been content
with the knowledge of their own rude Marwari dialect and evinced no
desire for classical learning or higher English education. Matters
are now changing, but this attitude shows that they have hitherto not
desired education for itself but merely as an indispensable adjunct
to their business.

7. Banias employed as ministers in Rajput courts.

Being literate, the Banias were not infrequently employed as ministers
and treasurers in Rajput states. Forbes says, in an account of
an Indian court: "Beside the king stand the warriors of Rajput
race or, equally gallant in the field and wiser far in council,
the Wania (Bania) Muntreshwars, already in profession puritans
of peace, and not yet drained enough of their fiery Kshatriya
blood.... It is remarkable that so many of the officers possessing
high rank and holding independent commands are represented to have
been Wanias." [124] Colonel Tod writes that Nunkurn, the Kachhwaha
chief of the Shekhawat federation, had a minister named Devi Das of
the Bania or mercantile caste, and, like thousands of that caste,
energetic, shrewd and intelligent. [125] Similarly, Muhaj, the Jadon
Bhatti chief of Jaisalmer, by an unhappy choice of a Bania minister,
completed the demoralisation of the Bhatti state. This minister was
named Sarup Singh, a Bania of the Jain faith and Mehta family, whose
descendants were destined to be the exterminators of the laws and
fortunes of the sons of Jaisal. [126] Other instances of the employment
of Bania ministers are to be found in Rajput history. Finally, it
may be noted that the Banias are by no means the only instance of a
mercantile class formed from the Rajputs. The two important trading
castes of Khatri and Bhatia are almost certainly of Rajput origin,
as is shown in the articles on those castes.

8. Subcastes.

The Banias are divided into a large number of endogamous groups or
sub